1 2026:CGHC:26403 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 4643 of 2026 Manoj Kumar Sarthi S/o. Mangal Ram Sarthi Aged About 37 Years Occupation- Labour, R/o. Village Rainpur, Police Station Dipka, District- Korba (C.G.) ... Applicant versus State of Chhattisgarh through- Station House Officer, Police Station Pali, District- Korba (C.G.) ... Respondent For the applicant : Mr. C.J.K. Rao, Advocate For the State : Ms. Deepeshwari Mahilwar, Panel Lawyer (Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Order on Board 29.06.2026 1. This is second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant in Crime No. 367/2025 registered at Police Station Pali, ALLENA ANNAJEE RAO Digitally signed by ALLENA ANNAJEE RAO Date: 2026.06.29 17:08:28 +0530 2 District Korba (CG) for the offences under Sections 75(2) of BNS & Section 8 of the POCSO Act. 2. The first bail application was rejected by order dated 22.01.2026 passed in MCRC No. 308 of 2026. 3. As per the prosecution case, on 21.09.2025, the minor victim had accompanied the applicant on his Scooter and on the way when they reached near a forest, the accused took her inside the forest and started outraging her modesty, on which, the prosecutrix got down from the scooter and ran away. Thereafter she disclosed the incident to her parents and others. On the basis of the said report, the crime was registered against him. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the court statements of parents of victim shows that the mother and father have expressed their inability to clearly state the the exact age of their daughter, therefore, the correct age of the victim has not been proved. He submits that it is a case of false implication and because of dispute between the father of victim and applicant, the applicant has been roped in the crime by projecting a concocted story. He submits that there are no criminal antecedents against applicant; he is in jail since 07.10.2025 and the trial is yet to take time, therefore, looking to the long custody period of the applicant, he deserves to be released on bail, at this stage. 5. Per contra, learned State Counsel opposing the bail application submits that the victim was minor on the date of incident and she has supported the case of prosecution. 3 6. The victim along-with her father appeared through VC and raised objected to bail. 7. Considering the court statements of the parents of the victim as also the fact that there are no criminal antecedents against the applicant; the trial is yet to take time and further looking to the long custody period of the applicant, without commenting on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to release the applicant on bail, at this stage. 8. Accordingly, this bail application is allowed and the applicant is directed to be released on bail on his furnishing a bond in sum of Rs.25,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the trial Court for his appearance before the said Court as and when directed in that behalf. Cc as per rules. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge Rao